Pleasant Grove alumnus Ricky Tarrant told Al.com on Saturday afternoon he was committed to the Alabama basketball program. He intends to transfer from Tulane and sit out next season under NCAA rules. (AL.com file photo)

"I committed to Alabama today," Tarrant said. "Its official. I just felt that was the best thing for my future. I have a great relationship with Coach Anthony Grant and another great relationship with (Alabama director of basketball operations) Coach (Antoine) Pettway and it was just the right fit.

Tarrant said he would be on scholarship this season and would not have to pay his own way.

"It was about representing the state of Alabama and coming back to play basketball in my home state," Tarrant said. "That meant a lot to me to come back and play close to home and represent my home state."

Tulane sophomore point guard Ricky Tarrant drives the lane in this file photo from the game against Alabama earlier this season. (Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound point guard was named second team All-Conference USA this season.

Tarrant, the 2011-12 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, averaged 15.7
points a game, 2.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists this year. The Green Wave
finished the season at 20-15.